Plans to transform Belfast Harbour into a major offshore wind hub have advanced after a £100 million-plus agreement was signed with the developers of the Mona and Morgan offshore wind farms in the Irish Sea, officials said on Monday.
EnBW and JERA Nex bp, the joint developers behind the two projects, have signed a lease for the port’s D1 terminal, which will serve as the assembly and marshalling base for turbine components for both wind farms. Together, the Mona and Morgan projects could deliver up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity — enough to power around three million UK homes each year.
The two schemes are expected to make a significant contribution to the UK’s energy security, emissions reduction goals, and long-term net-zero strategy. Preparatory works at Belfast Harbour are under way, with the site scheduled to be operational by 2028.
The agreement is expected to generate about 300 new jobs, supporting local economic growth and strengthening Northern Ireland’s renewable energy supply chain.
Welcoming the announcement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the deal demonstrates the government’s commitment to expanding clean power generation. “It’s full speed ahead in our mission to bring about the clean power revolution – delivering energy security, getting bills down for good and generating growth in communities across the UK,” Starmer said. “Creating skilled, well-paid jobs across Great Yarmouth, Belfast and Greater Manchester, this is national renewal in action.”
JERA Nex bp chief executive Nathalie Oosterlinck said the investment would directly support the infrastructure needed for the energy transition. “The Mona and Morgan joint venture’s planned commitment of over £100 million to Belfast Harbour is a direct contribution to the infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition,” she said. “This highlights the power of collaboration in driving energy security – the offshore wind industry can not only power millions of homes with clean, homegrown energy but also support job creation and local economic growth.”
Belfast Harbour chair Dr Theresa Donaldson said the deal reinforces the port’s position as a key player in the UK and Ireland’s offshore wind expansion. “Belfast is the only port on the island of Ireland with offshore wind capabilities and we are delighted to work with the Mona and Morgan projects, whose commitment will position the port and local supply chain as central to the deployment of high-capacity wind farms,” she said.
As a trust port, Belfast Harbour reinvests all profits into port and estate operations. The new partnership will support a £90 million investment in its D3 terminal to create a dual-purpose facility for cruise ships and offshore wind projects. The first phase, featuring a deepwater berth, is already under construction, while the second phase will prepare the site to handle turbine components weighing more than 1,000 tonnes and provide shore power for docked vessels.
The port’s expansion and the Mona and Morgan projects are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the UK’s offshore wind capacity, supporting national targets for net-zero emissions and clean energy leadership in the Irish Sea.
